Is problem in wall switch or light fixture?


  #1  
Old 11-02-13, 11:44 AM
B
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Arizona
Posts: 1,373
Upvotes: 0
Received 13 Upvotes on 13 Posts
Is problem in wall switch or light fixture?

I've been having problems with my exterior front porch light for a long time. First I noticed the bulbs seemed to be burning out in a short period of time. Then when I turned on the light switch inside the house, there was a delayed reaction in the light bulb illuminating...........up to five minutes. Now the light won't turn on at all. Is the problem with the wall switch inside the house or the outside light fixture? Thanks.
 
  #2  
Old 11-02-13, 12:02 PM
PJmax's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Jersey
Posts: 64,935
Received 3,950 Upvotes on 3,543 Posts
Good question Let me flip a coin

What are you using for bulbs in that fixture ?

Incandescent light bulbs create heat and that shortens bulb life.
You can buy 130v bulbs that last longer.
Fluorescent bulbs are good but take a short while to come up to brightness in the cold.

At the present time you could have a switch problem, a bulb problem or a defective light socket.
 
  #3  
Old 11-02-13, 12:41 PM
Nashkat1's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 7,458
Upvotes: 0
Received 6 Upvotes on 5 Posts
Fluorescent bulbs are good but take a short while to come up to brightness in the cold.
Bright-from-the-start bulbs from GE combine halogen with CFL in one bulb to give you light right away. The halogen element times out after a few minutes, when the CFL should be up to full brightness.

That said, I'm not sure how well those bulbs might play with timers or photocells.
 
  #4  
Old 11-02-13, 02:20 PM
B
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Arizona
Posts: 1,373
Upvotes: 0
Received 13 Upvotes on 13 Posts
I was using the fluorescent ones. But the current bulb was halogen. I don't think a new light fixture and wall switch would be all that expensive. Maybe I should replace both, unless you can narrow down the possibilities?
 
  #5  
Old 11-02-13, 07:29 PM
pcboss's Avatar
Forum Topic Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Maryland
Posts: 13,976
Received 194 Upvotes on 170 Posts
I would look at the switch first. Cheaper to replace and easier to access than the fixture.
 
  #6  
Old 11-03-13, 10:38 AM
B
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Arizona
Posts: 1,373
Upvotes: 0
Received 13 Upvotes on 13 Posts
Ok, thanks. I will do that and make sure that I comply with local code too
 
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
 
Ask a Question
Question Title:
Description:
Your question will be posted in: